In recent weeks, the global public health system has had to contend with two complex outbreaks arising from contagious viruses. A Dutch passenger aboard the ship MV Hondius died of a viral illness on April 11. It was not until early May – and several more illnesses – before international health authorities determined there was an outbreak of a strain of hantavirus capable of human-to-human transmission. The ship’s 86 passengers and 61 crew from 23 countries now are quarantined around the world – some in their homes and others in government facilities. Separately, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, the Bundibugyo virus of the Ebola genus of viruses has caused a large outbreak in remote regions. On May 17, the World Health Organization (WHO) labeled the Ebola outbreak a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), but determined the outbreak does not meet the definition of a pandemic emergency.
School Authors: Catherine Z. Worsnop
Other Authors: Christopher Clary